In Anthem, society obliterates individualism by outlawing personal thoughts, pronouns, and choices. Individuals must seek permission for independent actions, and using "I" is forbidden, replaced by "we." Names are replaced with numbers, and the Council of Vocations assigns roles, often punishing talent by relegating intelligent individuals to menial tasks. Romantic relationships are banned to prevent personal bonds outside the collective.

The society in "Anthem" aims to obliterate individual minds and selves by enforcing collectivism, outlawing solitude, and promoting the idea that solitary actions are harmful. Individual thoughts not shared by the group are deemed false, and the mantra "We are one in all and all in one" reinforces this. The council controls all knowledge, inventions, and personal relationships, eliminating personal choice and free will, thus ensuring conformity and suppressing individual identity and freedom.

Equality 7-2521 differs from other men in his society by his height, standing at six feet, which is considered a sin. Unlike others, he has forbidden thoughts, dreams, and a desire for intellectual inquiry, all discouraged in his collectivist society. His character evolves from attempting conformity to secret rebellion, as he seeks knowledge, love, and autonomy. Ultimately, he rejects the oppressive collectivism of his society, embracing individualism and self-determination.

Equality is committing a sin by writing because his society values collectivism over individuality, viewing personal expression as a threat. After the Great War, known as the Unmentionable Times, all books and past knowledge were destroyed to maintain this ideology. Writing represents individual thought, which is condemned in a society where everyone must be "equal." Equality's intelligence and curiosity make him different, and his writing challenges the societal belief that the group is more important than the individual.

Equality's main motivation for creating his new invention is to uplift his society from ignorance and darkness. Discovering electricity, he believes he can bring progress and "light" to a society that has regressed technologically after a great war. As a street sweeper, his talents are wasted, and he hopes to contribute positively by introducing this knowledge, aiming to improve life for his fellow citizens. However, his efforts are ironically rejected by the society's leaders.

Teachers disapprove of Equality's quick mind because his intelligence and superiority threaten the enforced equality of their society. In Ayn Rand's Anthem, being different or superior is considered a crime because it disrupts the collective ideology that values conformity over individual excellence. Teachers, representing the government's interests, attempt to suppress Equality's individuality to maintain societal order and prevent ambition and inequality from arising.

Equality does not feel guilty for his "crimes" because he realizes they are not truly crimes. Initially, he struggles with guilt due to societal conditioning, but his love for the Golden One and rediscovery of electricity lead him to embrace individualism. He sees these actions as beneficial rather than harmful. Although he briefly feels guilt for involving others, his pursuit of forbidden knowledge and the joy it brings outweighs any sense of wrongdoing.

In Anthem, the quote "To be free, a man must be free of his brothers" means that true freedom requires independence from the collective control and expectations of society. Examples include the protagonist's realization that he must break away from the oppressive society to achieve intellectual and personal freedom, highlighting the importance of individualism over collectivism.

Equality 7-2521 in Anthem is intelligent, curious, and rebellious. Despite living in a collectivist society that suppresses individuality, he exhibits a strong desire for knowledge and independence. His curiosity leads him to rediscover electricity, and his rebellious nature pushes him to defy societal norms, ultimately seeking freedom and self-discovery.

In Anthem, Ayn Rand portrays a collectivist society that suppresses individualism and personal identity. This society's focus on collective conformity leads to the stagnation of knowledge and human progress. Rand's work implies that the suppression of individualism is detrimental to mankind's development, advocating instead for the recognition and celebration of individual achievements and personal freedom.